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Panthers coach Ron Rivera says he was "surprised" by the firing of GM Dave Gettleman.

Rivera, though careful not to seem to disagree with owner Jerry Richardson, said he had a good relationship with Gettleman. "No matter how tense things got, we always talked our way through it," Rivera claimed. Rivera added he does not believe his own job is in danger. Rivera is currently signed through 2018. Jul 18 - 4:54 PM

Panthers signed coach Ron Rivera to a one-year extension through 2018.

The deal is reportedly worth "more than $6 million" per year, and makes Rivera one of the 10 highest-paid coaches in the league. It's actually a bit underwhelming for a coach coming off three straight division championships and a 15-1 Super Bowl season. A bigger extension could be in order if 2016 goes anything like 2015. Thu, Jun 16, 2016 03:45:00 PM

The Charlotte Observer's Joseph Person reports the Panthers are working on an extension for coach Ron Rivera.

This is a no-brainer for Carolina. Rivera has won 19 of his last 20 regular season games and led Carolina to the playoffs each of the last three seasons. He has won two of the last three AP Coach of the Year honors. Rivera's current deal runs through 2017. Sat, Feb 27, 2016 10:09:00 AM

He beat out Andy Reid, who was a distant second with six votes compared to Rivera's 36.5. "Riverboat Ron" -- a nickname Rivera has fully embraced and even appears on his verified Twitter handle -- led Carolina to a 15-1 record and the NFC’s No. 1 seed, becoming the sixth team in history to finish with only one loss. The Panthers led the NFL in turnover margin and ranked as a top-five run defense, allowing just over 19 points per game. Rivera has just two losses over his last 24 games. It marks the second time he’s won Coach of the Year. The Associated Press named Broncos DC Wade Phillips its Assistant Coach of the Year. Sat, Feb 6, 2016 09:31:00 PM

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Panthers signed coach Ron Rivera to a one-year extension through 2018.

The deal is reportedly worth "more than $6 million" per year, and makes Rivera one of the 10 highest-paid coaches in the league. It's actually a bit underwhelming for a coach coming off three straight division championships and a 15-1 Super Bowl season. A bigger extension could be in order if 2016 goes anything like 2015.

The Charlotte Observer's Joseph Person reports the Panthers are working on an extension for coach Ron Rivera.

This is a no-brainer for Carolina. Rivera has won 19 of his last 20 regular season games and led Carolina to the playoffs each of the last three seasons. He has won two of the last three AP Coach of the Year honors. Rivera's current deal runs through 2017.

He beat out Andy Reid, who was a distant second with six votes compared to Rivera's 36.5. "Riverboat Ron" -- a nickname Rivera has fully embraced and even appears on his verified Twitter handle -- led Carolina to a 15-1 record and the NFC’s No. 1 seed, becoming the sixth team in history to finish with only one loss. The Panthers led the NFL in turnover margin and ranked as a top-five run defense, allowing just over 19 points per game. Rivera has just two losses over his last 24 games. It marks the second time he’s won Coach of the Year. The Associated Press named Broncos DC Wade Phillips its Assistant Coach of the Year.

Rivera received 21.5 votes, beating out Chiefs coach Andy Reid (13.5) and the Patriots' Bill Belichick (7) for the award. After opening the year on a two-game losing streak, Rivera turned the Panthers' season around, leading them to a 12-4 record and first-round playoff bye. Carolina ranked second in total defense under Rivera, with Luke Kuechly and Greg Hardy both getting elected to the Pro Bowl. Rivera was also named the PFWA Coach of the Year in addition to his Associated Press honors. The Panthers rewarded him with a three-year contract extension following the season. Rivera will bring back his entire staff for 2014.

Panthers signed coach Ron Rivers to a three-year contract extension through 2017.

It's been quite a turnaround for Rivera in just one calendar year. He entered the 2013 season on one of the hotter seats, got off to an 0-2 start, but turned things around and went 12-2 over the final 14 games to earn the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. In his three seasons in Carolina, Rivera holds a 25-24 record, including this year's playoff loss. However, he's led the Panthers to wins in 17 of their last 22 regular-season games. Rivera earned the PFWA Coach of the Year honors in 2013. Carolina should be a force to be reckoned with again in 2014.

The Charlotte Observer reports the Panthers have reached out to coach Ron Rivera regarding a contract extension.

He's come an awfully long way in one year. Morphing from one of the NFL's most conservative coaches into one of the most aggressive, Rivera turned the Panthers around in what was supposed to be a lame-duck 2013 season, engineering a 12-4 record and first-round playoff bye. Rivera was not handpicked by current Carolina GM Dave Gettleman, but winning speaks for itself. The Panthers went a combined 13-19 in Rivera's first two seasons on the job. Carolina opened 2013 on a two-game losing streak, at which point some observers called for Rivera's firing. They went 12-2 the rest of the way.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports the Panthers have "begun laying the groundwork" for a head-coaching search in 2014.

Although Ron Rivera is expected to keep his job through the season -- and is coming off an impressive 38-0 win over the Giants -- he's unlikely to return as Carolina's head coach in 2014. Rivera was not handpicked by first-year GM Dave Gettleman, and the Panthers have already begun doing "background checks" on potential replacements. Rivera is essentially a lame duck in 2013, who'd probably need a legitimate miracle to last into next year.

A source tells the Charlotte Observer the Panthers will not fire Ron Rivera during the season.

The source is presumably GM Dave Gettleman or someone close to him. Rivera and Gettleman are in a somewhat awkward situation because Gettleman did not handpick his head coach. The source said Gettleman would not have fired Rivera regardless of Sunday's outcome, and the Panthers' 38-0 win over the Giants undoubtedly earned him some rope. Rivera's chances of returning to the Panthers in 2014 probably remain considerably less than 50:50.

Depth Charts

Jonathan Stewart rushed eight times for -4 yards in the Panthers' Week 6 loss to the Eagles.

Aside from Cam Newton, the Panthers were monumentally inept on the ground this evening. Although his offensive line was porous, J-Stew didn't help matters by showing absolutely zero wiggle. At times, he resembled ex-Panthers FB Mike Tolbert with the way he was struggling to move laterally. Stewart also batted up a Cam Newton pass for an interception. J-Stew now has 26 carries for 17 yards over his past two games. Crazy stuff. He will be a low-upside RB3 for Week 7 against the Bears.

The Panthers' No. 3 running back went down in a heap against the Eagles on Thursday. He was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game after being carted off the field. It's possible Whittaker has suffered a season-ending injury.

"Doing good," Olsen said Monday. "Just keep on going." It's been two weeks since Olsen went down. Barring a setback, Olsen will be one of the Panthers' two "return" players from injured reserve. He's eligible to resume practicing in four weeks, and playing in six. Ed Dickson has predictably been invisible in Olsen's absence.

Kalil has missed the last five weeks. He hasn’t looked close to returning, but the Panthers have an extended layoff coming off a Thursday night game. With Carolina’s run game struggling, getting Kalil back is a needed upgrade to the interior line.